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#AntiqueGolfBall #FeatherieGolfBall #KingJamesVIClub #GolfHistory #OldWoking #JohnNicholsonsAuction #GolfCollectibles #HistoricGolf #PerthGolf #OldTomMorris #GolfHeritage #RareGolfBall #VintageGolf #GolfAntique #GolfEnthusiast
An early leather-bound feather golf ball, consigned for sale from a house move in Old Woking, Surrey, has sparked intrigue among auctioneers at John Nicholson’s. The ball, estimated to fetch between £5,000 and £10,000, will be auctioned on May 14. Its historical significance lies in its inscriptions and the story they tell about golf’s early days. One side of the ball bears the stamp “King James VI Club, Perth,” while the other reads “1807 Martins?? 1807,” though the text is heavily worn due to age and use.
The King James VI Golf Club, mentioned on the ball, is a private club located on Moncreiffe Island in Perth, Scotland. Originally founded in 1858 on North Inch, Perth, the club was relocated to Moncreiffe Island in 1897. The course there was designed by ‘Old’ Tom Morris, a famed golfer and multiple winner of the British Open Championship. However, the date on the ball (1807) predates the club’s official founding by over 50 years, raising questions about its origins and connection to the club.
The history of golf in Perth, Scotland, stretches back even further than the King James VI Golf Club. Records show that as early as 1502, a bowmaker crafted a set of golf clubs for King James IV for thirteen shillings, highlighting the sport’s long-standing royal associations. The featherie golf ball, like the one up for auction, was a staple of the game from the early 17th century until the mid-19th century, when it was replaced by more modern designs. These balls were meticulously made by sewing leather hide together and stuffing it with chicken or goose feathers. As noted by the Future Museum in Scotland, a standard measure for filling a featherie ball was a top hat full of feathers.
The ball’s rare and historical nature makes it a fascinating item for collectors and golf historians. Its connection to King James VI Golf Club and the early traditions of the sport adds to its allure. The auction will provide an opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire a tangible piece of golfing history and shed light on the game’s evolution.
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